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Patented Oct. 7,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET w. A. mmm.

APPIJCATIMI lLED JUIIE I3. |911.

ENDLESS MOVING CHMN TRACK.

W. A TRITTON.

ENDLESS MOVING CHAIN TRACK.

APPucATloN man luna la. um.

1,318,188. Patented ont. 7,1919.

3 SHfETS-SHEET 2.

W. A. TRH'TON.

ENDLESS'MOVING CHAIN. TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED IIINE I3 '911.

WILLIAM ASHBEE TRITTCN, 0F LINCOLN, ENGLAND.

ENDLESS MCIING CHAIN TRACK.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 7, 1919.

Application Ied .Tune 13, 1917. Serial No. 174,564.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Asun'n Tiu'r'roN, a subject oiE the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing at Wellington Foundry, Firth Road, Lincoln, in the county of Lincoln, England, have nvented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Endless Moving Chain Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

T his invention relates to l'raurepert vehicles and more particularly to those that are propelled by an endless moving chain track or tracks.

In such vehicles the load is initially carried by means of rollers mounted in a track, which rollers engage with the back of, the lower run or stretch of the chain track.

It has been found when these vehicles are used for traversing rough and broken ground that the lower run of the chain track sags and falls away from the rollers, if used, when passing over a depression in the running surface or when an edge of the track rides along an upstanding curb or ridge or when by other obstacles it has a tendency to become tilted. Under these conditions the track may fail to regain its proper position when level. ground is reached, or it may be deformed or broken. Moreover, the load supporting rollers which engage with the back oi' the track have hitherto been fitted with lined flanges. In practice it often occurs that the flanges buckle and peel off on the occurrence of strains and stresses due to sluing the machine around, and the track is liable to become laterally displaced.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the defects above referred to.

The invention consists in arranging in close proximity to the lower run oi the chain track, a rigid extension of the vehicle frame, which extension is adapted to coperate with the chain track to loosely confine it and prevent the chain track from sagging or dropping away from its proper working position due to abnormal running conditions, the frame extension also serving if desired to prevent lateral displacement ol the track.

The invention also consists in fitting the load supporting rollers, carried by the rigid frame extension, with {ianges adapted to offer a yielding resistance to average stresses, any excessive strains, however being resisted by the frame extension.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of :1 motor tractor showing the present invention applied thereto.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the chain track in detail and the rollers that cooperate therewith to support the weight of the vehicle, Fig. 2 being a transverse section of the track and showing a pair o rollers in section; Fig. 3 being a plan view of one track link and the rail heads attached thereto; aud Fig. 4l being a side view oi a portion oi' the track with one roller in position thereon.

fis will be seen in Fig. 1, the inoviiig endless chain train a is carried by the main frame of the vehicle upon sprocket Wheels c, d, of which in the usual Way c is the driver and (Z the idler. The driver may be actuated through any suitable and usual power transmission from the main shaft c of the motor f illustrated diagrammatically. The chain tracks, when two are used, are preierably arranged at each side of the vehicle in between a main frame b and an auxiliary i' rame Zi which stands out from the frame I) a sullicient distance to accommodate each track. Both of these frames each carry depending Webs g, one of which is shown in Fig. 1, and are arranged on the respective sides of the chain track and both extend to within a short distance of the ground.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the chain tracks each comprise a. series of tread plates h of general rectangu lar forni and having sides of a length preferably greater' than the width of the ends. They are fiat for the greater part of their area but each has one transverse edge bent down to forni a hollow flange or corrugation to form a. salient or rib c to afford grip upon the road. Such edge is overlapped by that of the succeeding plate, the upper surfaces of the plates being flush. In the transverse direction of the chain the ribbed part of each plate is dished and bent upward at its ends to also improve the grip and facilitate riding over projections in the road. To secure the plates together, there is arranged on the back of each plate and in close proximity to the respective ends, a. pair of brackets Z each comprising a pair of rail heads extending over the whole width of the plate and somewhat beyond. The rail heads are spaced apart at m to accommodate the chain track sprockets c, (Z. and at cnc end they widen to 'lorin jaws n and at the other cud they are reduced lo I'orin an cx tension o having a connor-tingY slrcvc p. 'lhn extension und litsl lwtwron the jaws fn, of the snm-ceiling); pair olI rail heads oll the` nox tread pluto and are secured thereto by n holt or pin f/ passing; through the jaws fn, and .sleeve y, while` the jaw end corri-spondillpjly olnliraros lllo (-xlcnsion cnil ol' lhc preceding pair of rail heads on [he :idvioining (road plal's. About midway ol their length the rail heads are ronncctcd by a cross wel] 'i'. while y) constitutes the means by which the chain trnck is driven through the teeth of the sprocket wheels c.

The upper surfaces of the rail head ineinhcrs are flanged both inwardly and outwardly to afford a goed bearing surface and are level ith one nnothrr and smooth lo receive the uciffjht supportingl rollersl s, one roller to cach lino ol: rail hoods. Iho outa ward ly rxlruilin." 'lnngfo i" i-= soinnu'lnit wider es sismo. ils lfzf-v oxtcruliiig to within a `hurl dist-:muy o9' silla fr nney 1n' webs, 5,'. loi i pnl-pose hor ina'ftcr specified. lhc-xe weh-s ."f.- as lli-foie ed. are attached to thc main :and auxiliary trames L, L of the vehicle, the wells g together constituting an eXtension of the vehicle framing.

The rollers s are mounted in pairs on sleeves surrounding the spindles a, both cX- tremities of which are carried by, and scoured in any suitable way in bearings in the respective side frames or Webs g. As will be seen more particularly in Fig. 1. the lower part of the vehicle is supported by the series of rollers s, as shown, some of the rollers being plain and the others flanged as will now be described. or they may all be flanged. The lower edges of the webs g are litted with inner and outer flanges u, the inner of which extend for a suitable dis tance beneath the flanges t, but normally clear thereof, While the :faces thereof extend to within a short distance of the side of the rail head. The rollers of each pair are spaced apart and between them are arranged distance icces Which may or may not be elastic. n the present description, this distance piece is elastic and consists of two collars or flanges w, preferably ot the curved form shown resting upon the spindle u and pressed apart by a helical spring coiled around the sleeve. The diameter of the flanges fw exceeds that of the rollers, against the inner edges of which they are constantly pressed. It will be understood that the flanges may thus be removed or renewed and may if desired be arranged at the outer edges of the rollers instead of the inner edges.

By the foregoing construction it will be understood that the chain track is driven and the Weight supported at or near both of its longitudinal edges. The frame is allowed a certain. amount ot' play laten ally by the resilient or removable flanges which is olf special advantage when the tractor is passing around a curve or turning around in its own length. ill' the load is more than the piedi-,tornlined power olf the springand. the steeringh tends to more the fr-anic toward the right, the outer projecting odge of the left hand rail head flangct will skate or slide against the lower edfre of the f famo y, the inwardly projecting flange 'u of' the frame will skate on the side of the rail head, while tbc right hand resilient flange fw will bear upon the inner projecting flange of' the right hand rail head flange and coniprcss the spring. This produces 'a buffer action between the frame member with its rollers and the moving track preventing undue l'ririion :ni-ling. lt is also to be nnilcl'stood that the track jf'rarnin;l 4r/ with its inwardly extending flange n forms a lateral slmic o-r ln'ojrrtinn whirh is adapted to imm-ly onlinr the llangt'cs ol.A the rail heads in order to prevent the track leaving thc iinn'icdiatc vicinity of thfl track rollers should the omiiliguration ol. the ground tend to allow the track to fall away. Lateral displacement of the track is also prevented, for should this tend to occur it will be stopped by the contact of flanges t and c with the side framing g and the side of the rail head respectively.

Moreover, should one side of the track override an upstanding curb or a projection on the road, Jfor example, under the letthand part of Fig. Q. the resultant force would be received by the edge of the adjacent roller at about m', and tbe opposite side of the track and its rail heads will drop till the overhanging flange rf of the rail head rides upon the flange o. thus supporting the track and the rail heads and preventing stress on the connecting pins g.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A transport vehicle colnprisin in combination, a main vehicle frame, end ess moving track mechanism supported by and driven from such frame, a vehicle frame extension the lower edge of which is adapted to engage the lower stretch of the track mechanism to prevent displacement thereof, a plurality of load supporting rollers in contact with the back of such lower stretch and supported in bearings formed in the frame extension, and means whereby such load supporting rollers are adapted to resist average stresses, but abnormal stresses are resisted by the frame extension.

2. A. transport vehicle comprising in combination, a main vehicle frame, endless moving track mechanism, means for driving such track mechanism near each end of each plate of which the endless track is formed, load supporting devices also near each end of each said plate, a vehicle frame extension, and means whereby the track under abnormal circumstances is adapted to engage the side walls of the frame extension to prevent lateral displacement of the track or its leaving the immediate vicinity of the track rollers.

3. A transport vehicle comprising in combination a main vehicle frame, endless moving track mechanism supported by and driven from such frame, a vehicle frame extension the lower edge of which is adapted to engage the lower stretch of the mechanism to prevent displacement thereof, a plurality of flanged load supporting rollers in contact with the back of such lower stretch and supported in bearings formed in the frame extension, and means whereby such flanges are adapted to give under load without breaking and deformation.

4. A transport vehicle comprisiner in combination a main vehicle frame, end ess moving track mechanism supported by and driven from such frame, a vehicle frame extension the lower edge of which is adapted to engage the lower stretch of the mechanism to prevent displacement thereof, a plurality of load supporting rollers in Contact with the back ol' such lower stretch and supported in bearings formed in the frame extension, a flange on each roller which is removable and renewable, and a distance piece between the flanges of adjacent rollers.

5. A transport vehicle comprising in combination a main vehicle frame, a plurality of track plates, two pairs of rail heads on each track plate, a ivotal attachment between the rail hea s of successive track plates and thus constituting an endless track, means for supporting and driving such track from said frame, a plurality of load supporting rollers in contact with the back of the lower stretch of the track, a vehicle frame extension, a lateral skate or projection on the lower edge of such extension 'and outwardly flanged surfaces attached to the rail heads in order to prevent the track leaving the immediate vicinity of the load supporting rollers should the configuration of the ground tend to allow the track to fall awa yA transport vehicle comprising in combination a main vehicle frame, a plurality of track plates, two pairs of rail heads on each track plate, a pivotal attachment between the rail heads of successive track plates and constituting an endless track, means for supporting and driving such track from said frame, a plurality or load supporting rollers in contact with the back of the lower stretch of the track, and vehicle frame extensions whose lower edges are in close proximity to and adapted to engage both longitudinal edges of the endless track, to prevent lateral displacement of the track, and its sagging away from the load supportincr rollers.

l17. A transport vehicle comprising in combination a main vehicle frame, end ess moving track mechanism supported. by and driven from such frame, a plurality of load supporting rollers in contact with the back of such lower stretch and supported in bearings formed in the frame extension, a ilange on each roller which olers a yielding resistance to average loads, and vehicle frame extensions whose lower edges are in close proximity to and adapted to engage, both longitudinal edges of the endless track and thereby resist any excess load.

8. A transport vehicle comprising in combination a main vehicle frame, endless moving track mechanism supported by and driven from such frame, a vehicle frame extension the lower edge of which is adapted to engage the lower stretch of the mechanism to prevent displacement thereof, a plurality of load supporting rollers in contact with the back of such lower stretch, spindles for supporting the rollers in pairs, bearings in the frame extension for such spindles, plates constituting flanges positioned against the inner edges of the members of each pair of rollers and a spring positioned between the pair of plates so that they furnish a yielding resistance.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specilication.

lVILLIAM ASHBEE TRITTON.

Copies of this patent mav be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

